2020 Mt. Kilimanjaro Race, Safari and Hike

Feb 20 - Mar 7, 2020

Make 2020 a very special year by joining our group for the trip of a lifetime to Tanzania, East Africa!

Many dream about going to Africa but worry about safety, finances or finding the time. We’re here to tell you that Tanzania is extremely safe, less expensive than you may think and if you can’t find the time to live your life now, when will you?

This is your opportunity to go on a trip of a lifetime and one that you won’t ever forget, all the the while being in a safe, group environment with English-speaking guides, professional drivers, cooks and porters to take care of you each and every day!

Imagine yourself on the plains of the Serengeti, watching the Great Zebra and Wildebeest Migration, where more than 1.5 million animals come together in one area. Imagine yourself hiking to the Top of Africa, summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro and not needing any special gear!

Dream Travel is proud to announce its ninth tour to the enchanted country of Tanzania for what is sure to be nothing short of amazing! Add to your trip by visiting a Masai tribe on the Serengeti, camp on the ridge of the great Ngorongoro Crater, buy hand-crafted goods from the artists themselves and of course run the 2020 Kilimanjaro 5K, Half Marathon or Marathon – all in a safe, group atmosphere brought to you by Dream Travel.

Escape next winter and head to 30 degree weather and embark on this incredible group journey!

PLEASE NOTE THAT IN ORDER TO HAVE 100% COVERAGE, THE INSURANCE MUST BE PURCHASED WITHIN 2 BUSINESS DAYS OF YOUR DEPOSIT BEING PAID.

Pricing

Kilimanjaro Hike, Safari, Hotel and Race

$6,499.00

Safari, Hotel and Race

$4,199.00

Kilimanjaro Hike, Hotel and Race

$3,899.00

*Prices are in USD and include all taxes and fees listed in the inclusions.

Prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Single rates available.

Airfare not included in packages.

Itinerary

DAY 1 – February 20

Depart for Tanzania and your Great African Adventure!

DAY 2 – February 21

Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania (KIA) and be greeted by a rep who will transfer you from the airport to the Honey Badger Lodge.

The Honey Badger Lodge is situated close to Mt Kilimanjaro and hence offers amazing views of the mountain! Off the beaten path and in a quiet suburb but still a short taxi ride into the town of Moshi, the Honey Badger Lodge offers a quiet escape and is equipped with a pool, bar, restaurant and landscaped grounds. You’ll be using the same property throughout the trip which will make it easier with regards to leaving unneeded luggage while on Kilimanjaro or during the safari.

Overnight at the Honey Badger Lodge.

DAY 3 – February 22

Today is a free day to relax poolside, head into Moshi to do some shopping, meet others from your trip or do some sightseeing and repack your bags for tomorrows departure to Kilimanjaro.

Overnight at the Honey Badger Lodge. Breakfast is included.

Situated in a rural community, the lodge offers breath-taking views of Mt Kilimanjaro (the highest mountain in Africa). Joseph, Jenny and the Honey Badger Lodge staff warmly welcome you and endeavor to make the Honey Badger feel like home. We recognize that everyone has different preferences and expectations for their travels and we are ready to accommodate your needs.

DAY 4 – DAY 9 February 23 – February 28

The Machame Route is arguably the best route as it has the best scenery and maximizes the time and options available for hiking while allowing for a more leisurely pace.

The nights are spent camping and we provide top mountain guides, porters and cooks to look after you. Camping equipment is provided and is carried by the porters. There are no shower/bath facilities while doing the hike and toilets will be long drops.

After a hearty breakfast your guides will come to collect you and you will drive from the lodge to Machame village gate (although you may have to walk to the gate depending on the road conditions). After registering at the gate you will begin by entering the rain forest.

You will have a welcome packed lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. The crew will set everything out at your campsite and all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower. Before lunch you will climb a rocky scree path to the Lava Tower (4630m). This first part of the day’s hike can take up to 5 hours. This will probably be your hardest day so far and some climbers may begin to feel the altitude. However, our experienced team will coach you through the symptoms and provide you with all the advice and support you need.

After lunch by the Lava Tower, you descend again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area, whilst it may seem illogical to be going down at this point, you will quickly appreciate its true acclimatization benefit. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours, bringing the day’s hike to a total of about 7 hours.

This day offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for the preparation of your dinner.

Your day begins by tackling the awesome obstacle of the Great Barranco Wall. Whilst initially an imposing site, its climb is invariably easier than anticipated. You will quickly appreciate how beautiful the mighty Kilimanjaro is when you reach the bottom of the Heim Glacier.

You will then head down to the Karanga Valley. From there you will make your way over the ridges and valleys, and join up with the Mweka route. After another hour or so, you reach Barafu (Swahili for Ice) Hut. This camp gives you a real experience of the icy elements. The camp is exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony ridge. You will appreciate your warm and cosy sleeping bags on this night! The summit is now only a further 1,345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. The team will help you to prepare your equipment and clothing for your summit attempt. You will go to bed at about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.

At about 23h30 you will be awoken to some tea and biscuits and will make a move into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. Many climbers find this 6-hour walk to Stella point the most mentally and physically
challenging aspect of the climb. At Stella Point (5,685m) your efforts will be rewarded with a short rest and the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, the
highest point in Africa and achievement you will remember for the rest of your life.
The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3,100m). The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. Here you will rest and feel proud of your achievement.

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate where you will receive your certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5,685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive gold certificates.

You will be picked up and brought back to the Lodge for a warm welcome, a cold celebratory drink and a hearty meal.

Overnight at the Honey Badger Lodge.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

If you interrupt your climb, for whatever reason (illness, through choice, bad weather etc) and return from the mountain early, then you will be liable for extra transport and additional hotel nights, meals etc. No climbing fees and related costs will be refunded. These additional amounts must be settled with the hotel prior to departing Moshi.

Prior to departure, you will need to pack the bulk of your clothing and gear into a large rucksack or duffel bag which will be carried by the crew. Note, no bag on Kilimanjaro (irrespective of who carries it) should weigh more than 15 kg and will be weighed at the gate). Clients will carry a smaller backpack or day-pack with key items of clothing and personal effects.

DAY 10 – February 29

Today is a well-deserved recovery day. Sit poolside at the Honey Badger Lodge and sip drinks while looking through your hiking photos from Kilimanjaro or head into Moshi to grab some souvenirs. Runners will need to go to the race expo to pick up their bib, then rest up for tomorrow!

Overnight at the Honey Badger Lodge. Breakfast is included.

DAY 12 – March 1 – Marathon Day!

Today you depart pre-dawn for the start of the Mt Kilimanjaro Marathon!

Marathon Route

The 42.2KM marathon route leaves Moshi Stadium and heads down towards the town, and then along the main road to Dar es Salaam for approximately 8 to 9KM. This section of the route is relatively flat, and there are plenty of well-wishers along the road. Turn around and head back to the town of Moshi, tracking down into the actual town itself before turning toward the mountain and heading up a long, steady ascent towards Mweka. The uphill climb is gradual, but with Kilimanjaro towering above and all the local villagers out to cheer you on, the time passes quickly. The turnaround point marks approximately 10KM and the last section is a fast-downhill run back towards the stadium. Regular water tables as well as “sponging points” and the odd “shower” keep you refreshed and cool along the entire route.

Should you be running the Half Marathon (21.1KM), the route for this race covers the second half of the full marathon. You leave Moshi stadium and start slowly ascending the road up towards Mweka. It’s a gradual climb, and Kilimanjaro should be in full view as you steadily ascend the route. At approximately the 10KM mark you turn and head back down the same route in a fast descent.

The 5KM Fun Run takes place through the shady streets of Moshi. The start is from the stadium, but the route differs to the full and half marathons. Water will be provided en-route and there is usually a large crowd of well-wishers to cheer the athletes along.

The route passes through many small farms, villages, parts of town, banana and coffee plantations and patches of forest, providing great excitement to the residents who give ample vocal support.

After the race you will be transferred from Stadium to the Honey Badger Lodge.

Overnight at the Honey Badger Lodge. Breakfast is included.

DAY 13 – March 2

After breakfast, your driver-guide will collect you, and your safari will commence. You will drive from Moshi to Manyara National Park. This takes approximately 4 hours including time to stop by your campsite before entering the park. After enjoying a picnic lunch, you will go on the first game-drive of your safari and in this park; the afternoon is the best time to view animals. Frequently seen in Lake Manyara National Park are zebras, impalas, monkeys, giraffes, buffalos, hippos, warthogs among many others. Before dark you shall return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

Depart for the Ngorongoro Conservation area for overnight at a lodge.

Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, which spend most of the day spread out along the branches of Acacia trees six to seven metres above the ground. Nestling at the base of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the park is noted for its incredible beauty. As visitors enter the gate they pass into the lush forest, home to troops of baboons and both blue and velvet monkeys. Further along, the forest opens up into woodlands, grassland, swamps and, beyond, the soda lake itself covering, 200 square kilometres and sanctuary to over 400 species of bird including flamingo, pelican, stork, sacred ibis, cormorant, and Egyptian goose. The park is particularly noted for its huge herds of buffalo and elephant, as well as giraffe, hippo, reedbuck, warthog, wildebeest, zebra and a great variety of smaller animals.

All meals are included today.

DAY 14 – March 3

Drive to Serengeti National Park via Olduvai Gorge, which takes between 3 and 4 hours. Olduvai George is an archaeological site located in the eastern Serengeti plains, where early human fossils were first discovered. It has the amazing landscape that earned it the Maasai name Serengeti – Endless Plains. In the evening, enjoy a game drive in the Serengeti. Again, this is a great time to view game – particularly the carnivores as this is their favorite time to hunt. Before dark you shall return to the Lodge for dinner and overnight stay.

The Olduvai Gorge, located within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, is a short drive off the main road between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. The name “Olduvai” derives from “Oldupai”, which is the Masai word for the type of wild sisal that grows in the gorge. It was here that, in 1959, Dr Louis Leakey and his wife Mary discovered the skull of first Zinjanthropus Boisei, or “nutcracker man”, and then, a year later, the remains of Homo Hablis or “handy man”, regarded as mankind’s first step on the ladder of human evolution. But many more fossils have been discovered here, including those of prehistoric elephants, giant-horned sheep and enormous ostriches. There is a small museum and an observation platform, overlooking the gorge, where visitors can listen to an informative talk from the resident guide.

All meals are included today.

DAY 15 – March 4

After breakfast, begin your day with a morning game drives in the Serengeti, and then later in the afternoon drive to Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge. Once at the crater’s rim, get some rest and dinner at the Lodge where you will spend the night.

The Ngorongoro Crater, at 2,286 metres above sea level, is the largest unbroken caldera in the world. Surrounded by very steep walls rising 610 metres from the crater floor, this natural amphitheatre measures 19.2 kilometres in diameter and 304²km in area. It is home to up to 30,000 animals, almost half being wildebeest and zebra. Buffalo, elephant, hippo, hyena, jackal, lion, ostrich, several, warthog, bushbuck, eland, hartebeest, reedbuck, waterbuck and huge herds of both Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle are easily seen on the crater floor. Thanks to anti-poaching patrols, the crater is now one of the few places in East Africa where visitors can be certain of seeing black rhino, with the number now approaching 25. Leopard may occasionally be seen in the trees of the forest surrounding the crater while cheetahs are also present. Countless flamingo form a pink blanket over the soda lakes while more than 100 species of birds not found in the Serengeti have been spotted. The crater, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which covers more than 8,300²km.

The Serengeti National Park is arguably the best known wildlife sanctuary in the world. Serengeti means “endless plains” in the Masai language, and within its boundaries are more than three million large mammals. About 35 species of plains animals may be seen here, including the so-called “big seven” – buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, cheetah and African hunting dog. The black rhino population of the Serengeti has developed well in recent years thanks to constant surveillance. Other animals frequently seen in the Serengeti include baboon, caracal, civet, bat-eared fox, genet, giraffe, hippo, honey badger, hyrax, mongoose, ostrich, several, both Grant’s and Thomson’s gazelle, velvet monkey and some 20 types of antelope including hartebeest, impala, kudu, reedbuck, roan, topi, waterbuck and the much smaller dik dik, duiker, klipspringer and oribi. There is, of course, also a profusion of birdlife. Over 500 species including bustards, cranes, eagles, herons, owls, storks, vultures and the bizarre, long-legged secretary birds.

All meals are included today.

DAY 16 – March 5

After breakfast, drive down into Ngorongoro Crater and enjoy a half day game drive. This is undoubtedly one of the best places to see the rare black rhino in Africa, not to mention the prides of lion and the magnificent black-mane lions. There are lots of colorful flamingos and the variety of water birds. In the crater you are also likely to see leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, many members of the antelope family, and small mammals of all sorts. In the late afternoon, we will drive you out of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, to Tarangire National Park where you shall spend the night at a lodge.

All meals are included today.

DAY 17 – March 6

After breakfast you will begin the day with a game drive in Tarangire National Park. Tarangire national park is spectacular in any season and many of the migratory wildlife species can be found at the permanent waters of Tarangire River. Huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, elephants, elands and Oryx gather until the onset of the rain, when they migrate again to good grazing areas. In the late afternoon you will be driven back to Honey Badger for a hearty meal and some well-deserved rest.

Overnight at the Honey Badger Lodge. Breakfast is included.

DAY 18 – March 7

Today you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return trip to Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

I really want to go but am thinking that next year may be better for me. Is there going to be a difference?The short answer is that there could be. Most years the prices have risen and will continue to do so. Because of global warming, the Snows of Kilimanjaro are quickly dissipating, and, it is also affecting the great zebra and wildebeest migration. Tours to Tanzania are expected to double in price over the next few years. As well, Dream Travel doesn’t necessarily run this tour every year.

Do I require vaccinations?Yes. We indicate that Yellow Fever is required as the Government of Tanzania goes back and forth on this requirement, however, if you arrive and they have decided that it’s required, you will either be required to receive the vaccination in the airport in Tanzania, or, you may be denied entry. Check with your local Traveler’s Health Clinic or your family doctor for other recommended vaccinations. Typically the TwinRX Hep A and B vaccinations are recommended.

Is it safe in Tanzania?Tanzania is very safe! The people are very friendly and warm and you shouldn’t ever feel uncomfortable especially considering you will be in a group setting.

Is the hike up Kilimanjaro difficult?It is said that if you can run or walk a half marathon then you can hike up Kilimanjaro. Some would agree with that and others would not. The most difficult part is the lack of oxygen near the top and the affects that has on some people (upset stomach, puffiness in the face) and the long hike each day. Take a close look at the itinerary page to read over the distance covered per day. We have escorted and sent many people since 2004 and of all ages and every single person has made it to the last camp. From the last camp everyone has the option to summit or stay in camp.

Will I see many animals on the safari?Oh yes! Although the amount of animals you will see on the safari depends on the previous amount of rainfall, we will drive deep into the Serengeti to do our best to find the great zebra and wildebeest migration. Every time we have visited since 2004 we have easily found it and witnessed more than animals than one could imagine.

Can I travel for less time than what is stated on the itinerary?Due to the nature of this event, that would be difficult but not necessarily impossible. We can price out a custom built package for you at your request.

Is airfare included and may I book using points?Airfare is not included in the package prices however we can assist you if required. As well, you may book on your own or fly using points, however, you must arrive the same day or earlier than the rest of the group.

Why is tipping mandatory?All porters in Tanzania are part of a Porters Union and tippling is a requirement of taking part of any safari or climb. Porters will carry your gear up Kilimanjaro for you as well as food, water, your tent, and essentially everything other than your light day pack. During the safari you’ll be with a highly-educated guide dedicated to making your trip very special. Once you are on the trip, people not only fully understand and appreciate why the tipping is mandatory, but almost always give more than the recommended amounts.

How much should I tip?
Total tips for the safari should be between US130 and US150.
Total tips for Kilimanjaro should be between US220 and US330

How much money should I bring and are there ATM’s?There are ATM’s in every city/village that you will visit. However, bringing some cash to get you through the first week or so is a wise idea in case the ATM’s are down.

What should I pack?Dream Travel will provide a recommended list of items to bring.

Are these prices in CAD or USD?USD

What’s the weather like?Average January temperatures in Moshi and Arusha are +30 degrees Celsius. Weather on Mt Kilimanjaro varies from hot and sunny to snowing and cold.

I hate bugs! Are there a lot to deal with?Surprisingly enough, there are very few. The majority of the bugs you will see are flies and you won’t encounter many.

What is the food like on this trip?The food on the safari and climb is all made fresh each day and most people rave about how good it is! There are vegetarian and vegan options, plenty of fruit and veggies as well as high carb foods like pasta and rice. You’ll have the option to eat at the occasional restaurant and there are supermarkets and convenience stores available.

I’m traveling solo – can you assist me with finding a roommate to save money?We can assist you with finding a suitable roommate but unfortunately we can’t guarantee one.

Can I fundraise for a charity for this event?Absolutely! Join the MS Dream Challenge and raise funds for the MS Society. Please see below for details.

What is the MS Dream Challenge?The MS Dream Challenge is a joint effort between the MS Society, Dream Travel and the Running Room. As a participant in the MS Dream Challenge you will fundraise a minimum amount and be provided with hotel accommodations, race entry and a Running Room Giving account to assist in your fundraising efforts. You may also fundraise for your airfare.

When do I have to have my fundraising completed by?The deadline to raise the full amount won’t be until February, 2020.

Contact Dream Travel

If you have any questions about the 2020 Mt. Kilimanjaro Race, Safari and Hike or our packages, please contact Dream Travel at [email protected] or (877) 601-7275.